Tank heater



-Nov. 19, 1929. R. E. MOFARLAND TANK HEATER Filed Nov. 16, .1927

INVENTOR ATTOR N EY WITNESS:

Patented Nov. 19, 1929 UNITED STATES ROBERT E. MCFARLAND, OF MALMO, NEBRASKA TANK HEATER Application filed November 16, 1927. Serial No. 233,707. I

This invention contemplates a tank heater in the nature of an attachment which is capable of being easily positioned within the tank or removed therefrom as the occasion may require, and designed to heat the liquid in the tank in comparatively quick order.

The nature and advantages of the invention will be better understood when the following detail description is read in connection with the accompanying drawing, the invention residing-in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as claimed.

In the drawing forming part of this application like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views and where- Figure 1 is a sectional view through a tank showing the heater attachment associated therewith.

Figure 2 is a sectional view on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view through the burner.

Referring to the drawing in detail 10 indicates a tank adapted to contain a liquid, and with which the heater attachment is intended for use.

The attachment includes a casing arranged within the tank, and which casing includes an obliquely disposed portion 11 and a horizontally disposed portion 12. The obliquely disposed portion extends within the tank from one end thereof, terminating at a point approximately centrally of the tank, and in spaced relation to the bottom, while the horizontal portion extends in the direction of the other end of the tank but spaced therefrom. A flue 13 rises from the horizontal portion above the upper end of the tank, the horizontal portion of course accommodating the burner for heating the contents of the tank.

This burner includes a base 14 from which rises a standard 15, the latter supporting the burner proper indicated at. 16. Arranged directly beneath the bottom of the burner is a tray or cup 17 ada ted to be filled with fuel, which is subsequent y ignited to preheat the burner before the latter is called into use. Arranged directly above the burner and supported thereby is a fuel pipe 18 which com municates with a T-coupling 19 establishing communication between a supply pipe 20 and the fuel pipe 18, so that fuel is conveyed to the burner through the pipe 18. Manifestly when the burner is in operation, the fuel is pre-heated in the pipev 18 before it passes into the burner proper. A valve 21 controls the communication between the pipe 18 and the burner. The fuel supply pipe 20 also communicates with the tray or cup 17 as illustrated in Figure 3, and a valve 22 controls this communication, as fuel is only admitted to the cup or tray 17 for the purpose of initially preheating the burner before'the latter is called into use. Of course when the burner is in operation the valve 22 is closed.

The standard 15 of the burner includes a T- coupling 23 with which one end of a supporting pipe 24 is connected. This pipe extends upwardly through the casing 11 and is con-- nected by a T-coupling 25 with a cross pipe 26 secured to the bottom of a platform 27 by means of suitable brackets 28. The pipe 24 is also attached to braces 29 which are secured to the bottom of the platform 27. This provides for a very rigid construction, so that the burner above described can be con veniently removed from the casing 11 together with the platform 27 when desired. The pipe 26 reposes upon the tank 10 and supports the platform directly above the upper end of the casing 11, and is also utilized to support the fuel supply tank 30. The fuel supply pipe 20 leads from the tank 30 and passes downwardly through the supporting, pipe 24, thence through the T-coupling 23 forming part of the standard 15, whereupon the supply pipe 20 is bent upon itself to eX- tend in the direction of the cup or tray 17. The burner is removed from the casing 11 in order to light the same, and While removed from said casing the tray or cup 17 is filled with fuel, and subsequently ignited for the purpose above stated. After the burner has been suiiiciently pre-heated, the valve 22 is closed and the valve 21 opened to allow the fuel to pass through the pipe 18 into the burner. After the valve 21 has been properly adjusted to regulate the admission of fuel to the burner, the latter is lighted and then positioned within the horizontal portion 12 of the casing 11.

While it is believed that from the foregoing I description, the nature and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent, I desire to have it understood, that I do not limit myself to What is herein shown and described and that such changes may be restored to when desired as fall within the scope of what is claimed.

What is claimed is A tank heater comprising in combination a platform adapted to repose upon the top of the tank, a casing including an inclined por-" tion depending within the tank immediately beneaththe platform, and a horizontal portion adapted to be arranged within the tank and in spaced relation to the bottom thereof, a flue rising from the horizontal portion above the tank, a burner arranged within the horizontal portion, a fuel supply tank reposing' upon the platform and secured thereto, a

pipe secured to the under side of the platformand passed through the casing to provide a connection between the platform and burner, whereby the latter can be removed from the casing incident to the removal of the platform from the tank, a fuel supply pipe extended through the first mentioned pipe and establishing communication between the fuel supply tank and burner, a valve controlling said communication, and a brace connecting the first mentioned pipe with the platform.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ROBERT E. MGFARLAND. 

